Ops NightHawk: Operation Finale

It was the day The NightHawks have been waiting for since they started on the 12-week training program to prepare for Sundown Marathon – the final session where every participant will don their race-gear for a full-dress rehearsal and run down the runway for one final time before wrapping up for the big show on May 31 and June 1.

Everyone was bright and early, and immediately a flurry of photo-shoots went underway; for the Sundown Marathon Pacers; the different training groups; even the Kookaburras got into the act; and then there is always a grand group shot which is so much a part of every NightHawk training session that it has become mandatory before runoff 😀

For this finale session, we started off as an entire group, with proper lining up of the different pacers with their respective pace groups. Every marathoner would then go with their groups at Optimal Race Pace, simulating race conditions as closely as possible, albeit in warmer morning temperatures but with better light conditions.

Nothing was left to chances, and some Pacers even brought along balloons and timing bibs to do final testing…such is the dedication and commitment of these batch of Sundown Ambassadors who have put in their best with lots of sacrifices during their 15-week preparation journey.

The time has come for all to bring their preparedness and confidence to peak levels, and after the 13-18km run, the spirit and motivation levels of all NightHawk participants reached a high, just nice for the main race in less than a week’s time.

A quick post-training debrief and race-night coordinating meetings ensued, before Operation NightHawk was called to a successful close for all trainees and Pacers – it was a memorable 12-weeks of base build, lead up and pace runs complemented with lots of group runs which served to build camaraderie and team spirit that will surely leave us with many good memories even after the training and race is over.

The friendships forged will remain for a long time to come, which has been evident from members of previous training operations. Such are the benefits of group training and preparing for ‘battle’ with many like-minded individuals which often make those long and hard runs so much more palatable and feasible for us weekend warriors and amateur athletes.

Team FatBird and Ops NightHawk training crew would like to wish all our NightHawks a great race at Sundown Marathon, and we are indeed confident that all who has attended at least half of the structured program will be able to meet mission objectives, with a good percentage even surpassing expectations.NightHawks, NightHawks Will Not Rest,NightHawks, NightHawks Will Do Their Best!Facebook Photo Album